Portable speakerphone with pivoting microphone boom

ABSTRACT

A wireless speakerphone with a pivoting microphone boom is provided. The speakerphone communicates via a wireless network to a cellular telephone, cellular telephone adaptor, land-line telephone, land-line telephone adaptor, computer, personal digital assistant, or other device capable of communicating via the wireless network. The microphone contained in the pivoting boom is a directional microphone, the design of the boom being such that the location of minimal microphone sensitivity is always directed towards the speakerphone&#39;s speaker. The wireless speakerphone may also include an integral display, thereby allowing various types of system information to be displayed, aid speakerphone/system configuration and provide expanded speakerphone functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for hands-free communication devices began soon aftertelephones were first invented. For example, early telephone operatorsused headsets that included a speaker and a microphone that could bewired or patched into a switchboard, the headset allowing hands-freeoperation. In the decades that followed, other methods of allowinghands-free operation emerged, ranging from telephone handset cradlesthat allowed the user to comfortably cradle the handset between theuser's head and shoulder, to speakerphones that allowed absolutehands-free operation as long as the user was within the allowable rangeof the phone's speaker and microphone. More recently, short rangewireless telephones have provided people with the freedom to roam‘unconnected’ within a limited range of a base unit, for example aroundthe home or office. The advent of cellular telephones and networks havesubstantially increased this freedom, allowing people to roam untetheredover both national and international regions.

While great progress has been made in the development of communicationsystems, only recently with the advent of Bluetooth and similar openspecification technologies have developers been given the freedom todesign short range, wireless devices that can connect to a variety ofdifferent networks and systems while offering worldwide compatibility.One type of device resulting from the development of these technologiesis the wireless speakerphone that can connect to any similarly enableddevice or system. When used with a cellular phone that isenabled/adapted for use with one of these technologies (e.g.,Bluetooth), the user is able to enjoy the benefits of a speakerphone,unencumbered by wires or cables. Unfortunately these speakerphones tendto have limited functionality while providing inferior sound quality.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a wireless speakerphone withexpanded functionality and improved audio quality. The present inventionprovides such a speakerphone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wireless speakerphone with a pivotingmicrophone boom or arm, the speakerphone capable of communicating via awireless network to a cellular telephone, cellular telephone adaptor,land-line telephone, land-line telephone adaptor, computer, personaldigital assistant, or other device capable of communicating via thewireless network. The microphone contained in the pivoting boom is adirectional microphone (e.g., cardioid microphone). The design of thepivoting boom locates the null or location of minimal sensitivity in thedirection of the speakerphone's speaker, thus minimizing coupling andecho effects. Preferably the wireless speakerphone of the inventionincludes an input transducer (e.g., a microphone), an output transducer(e.g., a speaker), a wireless networking subsystem, acontroller/controller interface, a sound processor, a battery, means forelectrically coupling the speakerphone to an external power source, anearphone jack, a headset jack and means for attaching the speakerphonein a variety of positions and to a variety of surface types. Thewireless speakerphone may also include an integral display, fabricatedusing any of a variety of suitable technologies, thereby allowingvarious system information to be displayed, aid speakerphone/systemconfiguration and provide expanded speakerphone functionality.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a speakerphonein accordance with the invention with the microphone boom in an openposition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with themicrophone boom in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with themicrophone boom in a mid-position in order to optimize sound pick-up;

FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention in which thespeakerphone includes a display;

FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram illustrating the primary internalsystems of a speakerphone in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 along with a universal mounting clip;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the speakerphone shown in FIG. 6 with theuniversal mounting clip attached;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the speakerphone shown in FIG. 6 with theuniversal mounting clip attached;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the speakerphone shown in FIG. 6 with theuniversal mounting clip attached;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a speakerphone with an attached suction cupmounting bracket;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a speakerphone with an attached vent mountingbracket;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a speakerphone with an attached visor mountingbracket; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of a speakerphone with an attached cigarettelighter mounting bracket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of aspeakerphone 100 in accordance with the invention. Coupled to body 101of speakerphone 100 about pivot point 103 is a microphone boom or arm105. FIG. 1 shows microphone boom 105 in an open position while FIG. 2shows boom 105 in a closed or collapsed position. With the microphoneboom in the closed position, the overall size of speakerphone 100 isminimized, thus providing a convenient size for carrying, for examplebetween the user's office and car.

Mounted to or within microphone boom 105 is a directional microphone107. Preferably microphone 107 is located at the distal end of boom 105opposite pivot point 103 as shown. In the illustrated embodiment,microphone 107 is contained within microphone housing 109. To maximizeaudio pick-up sound quality, preferably microphone 107 is aunidirectional microphone exhibiting a cardioid polar pattern throughoutits frequency range. Due to the design of speakerphone 100, themicrophone's region of the lowest sensitivity is aimed at speaker 111regardless of the position of the boom. As a result, the user is able toposition boom 105 and microphone 107 for optimal pick-up whileautomatically minimizing pick-up from speaker 111. This benefit isillustrated further in FIG. 3. As shown in this side view, boom 105 andmicrophone 107 have been rotated part way between the fully open andclosed positions in order to point microphone 107 along imaginary line301 towards source 303 (i.e., the user). In this position the locationof the microphone's null or axis of minimum sensitivity is directed atspeaker 111 along imaginary line 305.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, microphone boom 105 is of rigid construction. Itwill be appreciated that other embodiments may include a boom ofnon-rigid design, for example one that is flexible and/or telescopic innature. Regardless of its design, boom 105 directs the null position ofmicrophone 107 at speaker 111. Thus, for example, if boom 105 istelescopic, the boom is not allowed to rotate about its axis. As aresult, the desired orientation of the microphone is retained regardlessof the degree to which the boom is extended.

Speakerphone 100 includes one or more means of controlling thefunctionality of the speakerphone. In the preferred embodiment, thesemeans include a volume control 113 to control the volume of speaker 111,a mute switch 115 to temporarily interrupt transmission of audio signalsreceived by microphone 107 and a power switch 117 to conserve power whenthe speakerphone is not in use. A switch 119, preferably located foreasy accessibility regardless of how the speakerphone is mounted, allowsthe user to easily answer an incoming call or hang-up the phone (i.e.,on-hook/off-hook functionality). Speakerphone 100 typically includes atleast one means 121 of connecting an external power source (e.g., carbattery, AC line source, etc.) to the device. Preferably the externalpower source serves dual purposes, providing power to speakerphone 100while simultaneously charging an internal battery source.

Speakerphone 100 may include an earphone jack 123 or other means ofconnecting an external earphone to the speakerphone. Although a separateearphone would normally not be used, under certain circumstances (e.g.,noisy environment, confidential discussions) its use may be desirable.

Speakerphone 100 may include one or more visual indicators 125.Preferably indicator 125 is capable of providing two colors, forexample, a first color (e.g., green) when speakerphone 100 is on and asecond color (e.g., red) when the speakerphone is in use.

Speakerphone 100 may include an interface port 127, for example a serialport or a universal serial bus. Interface port 127, coupled to theinternal processor, can be used to configure the speakerphone, forexample modifying the processing systems (e.g., noise cancellation,voice recognition, etc.). Although the interface port may be internal,preferably it is an external port as shown, thus allowing thespeakerphone to be easily updated or otherwise modified at any time.

FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of a speakerphone 400 thatincludes a display 401. Display 401 can be used to provide the user withvarious types of information, the available information dependent upondisplay size and resolution, allowable power drain, and the processingcapabilities and design of the on-board processor. The information canbe provided with text, graphics, or both. Examples of information thatcan be displayed on display 401 are battery level, speakerphone volumelevel, call status (e.g., dialing, in use, etc.), caller identification,current time/date, and timer information such as elapsed time associatedwith a particular call. Display 401 can also be configured to flash orotherwise visually indicate an incoming call. Additionally, display 401can be used during configuration of speakerphone 400 (e.g., providingmenus, set-up instructions, etc.) or to provide additional functionality(e.g., phone lists, text messages, dialing using virtual numeric keypador phone list dialing, calendar functions). Additionally, display 401can be touch sensitive, thus providing a touch screen for data input(e.g., phone numbers into a phone list, dialing using a virtual numerickeypad). In order to more fully utilize the functionality provided bydisplay 401, preferably speakerphone 400 includes additional input means(e.g., keys, buttons, switches, etc.). For example, in the illustratedembodiment, a pair of keys 403-404 is located adjacent to the displayscreen, thus providing the user with an easy means of navigating throughthe menus and/or other information (e.g., phone lists) shown on display401. Keys 403-404 may also be used to provide the speakerphone withother functionality, for example replacing the rotational switch 113 asthe means for controlling the device's volume level.

Display 401 preferably uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology,although other types of technology can be used. For example, display 401can use light emitting polymers (LEP), electroluminescent (EL) or activematrix electroluminescent (AMEL) technology, organic thin filmtransistors (organic TFT), active matrix organic light emitting diodes(AMOLED), amorphous silicon integrated displays (ASID), pliable displaytechnology (PDT) or any other display technology that can provide asuitable resolution in the desired display size.

FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram illustrating the primary internalsystems of a speakerphone in accordance with the invention. As shown,system 500 includes a wireless networking module 501 that provides shortdistance (e.g., on the order of 30 feet) wireless communications betweenthe speakerphone and a correspondingly enabled peripheral electronicdevice 503. Preferably peripheral electronic device 503 is a cellulartelephone that communicates data (e.g., voice communications) via acellular network to other devices. As cellular telephones and cellulartelephone networks are well know in the art, further description willnot be provided herein. Although device 503 is preferably a cellulartelephone, the present invention can be used equally well with othertypes of properly enabled devices (e.g., cellular telephone adaptors,land-line telephones, land-line telephone adaptors, computers, personaldigital assistants or PDAs, etc.).

Short distance wireless networking module 501 includes a transceiver 505and can utilize any of a variety of networking technologies andprotocols, as long as the selected system provides suitable networkingcapabilities between system 500 of the speakerphone and device 503.Examples of suitable technologies and standards include Bluetooth andIEEE802.11. As such technologies and standards are well know in the art(see, for example, the specifications found at www.bluetooth.com,www.standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.11.html andwww.grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference), further description will not be provided herein.Module 501, which is coupled to an appropriate antenna 507, controls thecommunication of signals between speaker 111 and microphone 107 of thespeakerphone and device 503.

System 500 includes at least one processor 509 (e.g., controller,micro-controller, application specific integrated circuit or ASIC,etc.). Processor 509 can either be separate from module 501 as shown orcombined with module 501. Additionally it will be appreciated thatmodule 501 may include at least one additional processor, separate fromprocessor 509. Processor 509 controls the functionality of thespeakerphone, including sound processing capabilities (e.g., noisecancellation), system configuration, and the interface to thespeakerphone. Typically one or more input means 511 are coupled toprocessor 509 (e.g., input means 113, 115, 117 and 119 of speakerphone100; input means 403 and 404 of speakerphone 400; etc.).

Processor 509 is coupled to internal power source 513. Preferably powersource 513 is a rechargeable battery, for example a nickel metal hydrideor a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. In at least one embodiment, therechargeable battery can be replaced with a standard battery source(e.g., alkaline batteries), thus allowing the user to continue to usethe speakerphone even if the rechargeable battery has lost its power andthe user does not have access to any means of recharging the battery.Assuming a rechargeable battery source, interposed between source 513and external power source port 121 is a charge control circuit 515. Evenif power source 513 is not rechargeable, circuit 515 may still providean interface to an external power source coupled via port 121.

Processor 509 also controls the functionality of any display means 517coupled to the speakerphone. Display means 517 can be single statusindicators (e.g., indicator 125) or a display screen (e.g., display401).

In a preferred embodiment, the speakerphone includes means for couplinga variety of different types of mounting hardware to the device. FIG. 6is an illustration of the rear or back surface 601 of speakerphone 100.Although there are countless ways of coupling mounting hardware to thespeakerphone, preferably the speakerphone includes one or more openings603 at its base that work in conjunction with one or more openings 605located on back surface 601. As opposed to each type of mount beingdirectly coupled to the speakerphone, preferably a universal mountingclip 607 is mounted to the speakerphone. FIGS. 7-9 show bottom, side andend views, respectively, of speakerphone 100 with mounting clip 607attached.

FIG. 10 is a side view of speakerphone 100 with a suction cup mountingbracket 1001 coupled to universal mounting clip 607. Suction cup 1003can be attached to a windshield 1005 or other smooth surface. Bracket1001 provides both angular and rotational adjustment, thus allowingspeakerphone 100 to be oriented as desired.

FIG. 11 is a side view of speakerphone 100 with a vent mounting bracket1101 coupled to universal mounting clip 607. Bracket 1101 includes atleast two vent retaining members 1103 designed to secure the bracket andattached speakerphone to an automobile vent 1105 or similar structure.Preferably bracket 1101 provides angular adjustment, and more preferablyboth angular and rotational adjustment, thus allowing speakerphone 100to be oriented as desired.

FIG. 12 is a side view of speakerphone 100 with a mounting bracket 1201coupled to universal mounting clip 607. Bracket 1201 is designed tomount to a relatively flat and thin member 1205 (e.g., car visor).Bracket 1201 can be rotated to optimize speakerphone orientation.

Regardless of the mounting bracket used, as illustrated speakerphone 100can still be attached to an external power source, for example using acigarette lighter adaptor. As shown in FIG. 9, even with universalmounting clip 607 in place, an external power source can still becoupled to port 121.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate mounting arrangement. As shown, bracket1301 attaches to speakerphone 100 without the use of universal clip 607.In use, plug member 1303 is inserted into a cigarette lighter, thusproviding both a means of mounting the speakerphone and an externalpower source. Preferably the stalk member 1305 of bracket 1301 isflexible, thus allowing the user to orient the speakerphone as desired.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, thedisclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A speakerphone comprising: a housing; a speakercoupled to the housing; a microphone boom pivotably coupled to thehousing, the microphone boom having at least a first position and asecond position; and a microphone mounted to the microphone boom;wherein a region of the microphone having a lowest sensitivity is aimedat the speaker when the microphone boom is located in the firstposition, and the region is aimed at the speaker when the microphoneboom is located in the second position.
 24. The speakerphone of claim23, wherein the speaker is located along an axis extending from theregion of the microphone regardless of a position associated with themicrophone boom.
 25. The speakerphone of claim 23, wherein themicrophone comprises a unidirectional microphone.
 26. The speakerphoneof claim 23, wherein the microphone exhibits a cardioid polar pattern.27. The speakerphone of claim 23, wherein the microphone is mostsensitive to sound arriving from only one direction.
 28. Thespeakerphone of claim 23, further comprising a Bluetooth enablednetworking module configured to transmit first signals to a Bluetoothenabled cellular telephone and to receive second signals from theBluetooth enabled cellular telephone.
 29. The speakerphone of claim 23,further comprising a power switch.
 30. The speakerphone of claim 23,further comprising a volume control.
 31. The speakerphone of claim 23,further comprising a display coupled to the housing.
 32. Thespeakerphone of claim 31, wherein the display is configured fordisplaying at least one of battery level, signal level, volume level,call status, speakerphone status, pairing status, caller identification,time, elapsed time, date, phone history, phone lists, and calendar. 33.The speakerphone of claim 31, wherein the display is configured fordisplaying a text message.
 34. The speakerphone of claim 31, wherein thedisplay is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystaldisplay, a light emitting polymer display, an electroluminescentdisplay, an active matrix electroluminescent display, an organic thinfilm transistor display, an active matrix organic light emitting diodedisplay, an amorphous silicon integrated display, and a pliable displaytechnology display.
 35. The speakerphone of claim 23, further comprisinga sound processor.
 36. The speakerphone of claim 23, further comprisinga portable power source.
 37. A speakerphone comprising: a housing; aspeaker mounted to the housing; a microphone; a microphone boompivotably coupled to the housing, the microphone boom capable of beingplaced at at least two positions, the microphone mounted at a distal endof the microphone boom, wherein a region of the microphone having arelatively low sensitivity is aimed at the speaker when the microphoneboom is located in any of the at least two positions.
 38. Thespeakerphone of claim 37, further comprising a wireless networkingmodule configured to transmit first signals via a wireless network to aperipheral electronic device and to receive second signals via thewireless network from the peripheral electronic device.
 39. Thespeakerphone of claim 38, wherein the peripheral electronic deviceforwards the first signals via a long distance communication network andwherein the second signals are transmitted to the peripheral electronicdevice via the long distance communication network.
 40. The speakerphoneof claim 39, wherein the long distance communication network is acellular telephone network.
 41. The speakerphone of claim 38, whereinthe peripheral electronic device is a cellular telephone.
 42. Thespeakerphone of claim 38, wherein the wireless networking module is aBluetooth enabled networking module and the peripheral electronic deviceis a Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone.
 43. The speakerphone of claim38, wherein the wireless networking module is a Bluetooth enablednetworking module and wherein the peripheral electronic device furthercomprises a Bluetooth enabled adaptor.
 44. The speakerphone of claim 38,wherein the wireless networking module is an IEEE802.11 enablednetworking module and the peripheral electronic device is an IEEE802.11enabled cellular telephone.
 45. The speakerphone of claim 38, whereinthe wireless networking module is an IEEE802.11 enabled networkingmodule, and wherein the peripheral electronic device comprises anIEEE802.11 enabled adaptor.
 46. The speakerphone of claim 37, furthercomprising at least one status indicator.
 47. The speakerphone of claim37, further comprising a display coupled to the housing.
 48. Thespeakerphone of claim 47, wherein the display is configured fordisplaying at least one of battery level, signal level, volume level,call status, speakerphone status, pairing status, caller identification,time, elapsed time, date, phone history, phone lists, and calendar. 49.The speakerphone of claim 47, wherein the display is configured fordisplaying a text message.
 50. The speakerphone of claim 47, wherein thedisplay is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystaldisplay, a light emitting polymer display, an electroluminescentdisplay, an active matrix electroluminescent display, an organic thinfilm transistor display, an active matrix organic light emitting diodedisplay, an amorphous silicon integrated display, and a pliable displaytechnology display.
 51. The speakerphone of claim 47, further comprisinga sound processor.
 52. The speakerphone of claim 47, further comprisinga portable power source.
 53. The speakerphone of claim 47, wherein themicrophone comprises an unidirectional microphone.